The Iowa Hawkeyes are right where they hoped to be when the season tipped off - in the thick of meaningful, high-stakes matchups with Big Ten and national implications. Under first-year head coach Ben McCollum, the Hawkeyes have steadily built momentum, and now they’re staring down a stretch that could define their season.
The next three games on Iowa’s schedule offer a golden opportunity to keep climbing. First up: a road test at Washington, followed by a home tilt against Northwestern, and then a trip out east to face Maryland. On paper, these are all winnable games - and if the Hawkeyes handle business, they’ll be setting the table for a massive showdown that could shake up the Big Ten standings.
Circle the date: Saturday, February 14. That’s when Purdue comes to town.
The Boilermakers, one of the conference’s perennial powers, will roll into Carver-Hawkeye Arena for a marquee matchup that’s now locked in for a 4 p.m. CT tip on FOX. It’s a game that’s shaping up to be more than just another conference clash - it could have major postseason implications, depending on how both teams navigate the next couple of weeks.
As it stands, Iowa is 16-5 overall and 6-4 in Big Ten play. That’s a solid foundation, especially given the competitiveness of the conference this year. Purdue, meanwhile, is sitting at 18-4 overall with an 8-3 conference record, fresh off a win over Maryland that reminded everyone just how dangerous they can be when they hit their stride.
Before Purdue heads to Iowa City, they’ll face a home game against Oregon and then travel to Nebraska - two games that could either reinforce their top-tier status or open the door for the Hawkeyes to close the gap.
For Iowa, the formula is simple: take care of business in the next three, and you turn February 14 into more than just a date on the calendar - you turn it into a statement game. A win over Purdue at home wouldn’t just boost their Big Ten standing; it would send a message that McCollum’s squad is ready for the spotlight.
The pieces are in place. Now it’s about execution.